Sierra Dawn Kauer

My primary research interests are in spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurological plasticity that occurs in response to central nervous system (CNS) injury. Throughout my research career, I have focused my effort on understanding the pathobiology of SCI and its related disorders (SCI/D). I have extensive formal training in multidisciplinary approaches to performing SCI research, including successfully completing the “Craig H. Neilson Foundation (CHNF)-funded SCI Training Program”. I’ve used both adult and young rodent models of SCI, e.g., transection and contusion injuries, to investigate the mechanistic cellular and molecular underpinnings of axonal degeneration and regrowth, as well as maladaptive plasticity. Currently, I am exploring the efficacy of targeting Pak1 for the purpose of alleviating pain and spasticity after SCI.